LUANDA (Angola) - On Monday, Mali held off a determined Guinea side in a Classification Round game for the quarterfinals of the 2025 AfroBasket 2025 at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda.
After going 1-2 in the Group Phase, which raised questions about Mali's ability to stay in the running, they came out strong, beating Guinea 70-67.
A double-double by Aliou Diarra (15 points and 12 rebounds) was crucial for Mali.
Captain Ibrahim Haidara shot 4-for-8 from the floor and finished with 14 points. Mahamane Coulibaly and Oumar Ballo contributed 10 points apiece.
Alpha Diallo scored 31 points for Guinea, offering some resistance, but Mali's team effort won the night.
TURNING POINT: With 54 seconds left, a Diarra dunk separated the sides 68-67.
Ballo had a chance to increase Mali's lead at the free-throw line, but it ended up being an empty trip. The Eagles would have another shot after Kanoute grabbed the rebound from a missed Guinea lay-up attempt. Kanoute, who was fouled after crashing the board, made sure that Mali got the two-point victory at the charity stripe.
HERO: Aliou Diarra put his body on the line for Mali to get the famous victory. Apart from his speciality of scoring and rebounding, his ability to divert Guinea's attempts to score kept Mali alive and well in the game. Floor general Siriman Kanoute was also the hero for landing the clutch free throws that sent Mali to the quarter-finals.
STATS DON'T LINE: Mali's small margin of victory is reflected in the statistics. Their bench scored 21 points. They were quick out of the blocks, scoring 12 fastbreak points.
Guinea, who lead 55-53 at the end of the third quarter, shot themselves on the foot by turning a staggering four times in the final six minutes of the game.
BOTTOM LINE: The small details gave Mali their victory. Poise in key moments and withstanding adversity. For their courageous display and victory on Monday, Mali will face Côte d'Ivoire on Wednesday.
In an evenly matched encounter, Mali and Guinea changed leads nine times. Ultimately, Guinea's poor shooting night (20-for-70) ended their tournament run.
Guinea's playmaker, Souleymane Boum Jr., had two brilliant games against South Sudan and Angola. However, an injury kept him out of the last two games, which marked the end of Guinea's tournament run.
WHAT THEY SAID: "This game was hard, after the loss against Senegal (in the group stages) we had to respond. In this game everytime they (Guinea) challenged us we responded. That is how we got the win," said Malian Centre Oumar Ballo.